Even though the award will have his name on it, Steve Ferber said the honor goes to all the faculty, staff and students he works with at Warsaw Community High School.
"It's wonderful to be recognized," he said in an interview Friday afternoon, "but truly the recognition needs to go to all the wonderful people I'm surrounded by."
Ferber, an assistant principal at WCHS, was chosen as the 2010 Assistant Principal of the Year for the Indiana Association of School Principals, District 2. He will be recognized by the IASP on Oct. 11 in Indianapolis.
District 2 includes Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, St. Joseph and Starke counties. At the recognition ceremony, Ferber's award will be presented to him and the State Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced.
District Assistant Principals of the Year are elected by their peers. One principal is honored from each of the 12 districts. From these 12 winners, one will be chosen as the top winner.
Ferber said he received a letter in the mail from the IASP telling him that he had received the award for the district. Ferber was nominated by WCHS Principal Troy Akers. Ferber said he did not know he was nominated for the award until he received the notice.
For the top state award, Ferber said he has to submit a few things to the IASP.
Ferber did not enter the education profession to get into administration. He started out as a physical education and health teacher. As he worked with students, served on committees and worked with other administrators, Ferber was encouraged to get into administration.
He decided to go back and get his master's degree in secondary education, earning it in 2000 from Ball State University. He had earned his bachelor's degree in 1990 from Purdue University.
Education is always about the kids, Ferber said. He wanted to specifically help the really "needy" students. When Ferber first got into administration, he dealt mostly with attendance and discipline, and mostly with the male students. Initially, he didn't get time to spend as much time as he would have liked with each individual student.
Three years ago, WCHS restructured its administration and each of the four principals became a principal for each grade. Ferber got the sophomore class, who will be graduating this year.
"The last three years of administration has been fantastic. This year, the best," Ferber said.
The senior class is a really great class, he said, and the faculty, staff and administration team have been great.
"I felt God leading me in this direction, and I feel he's placed me in the right spot," said Ferber.
Ferber was born and raised in Columbia City. This is his 17th year at WCHS. He's also coached football, girls track and wrestling during his tenure.
"No question about it. The more experience you have with kids and the different experiences you have with kids and parents," he said, the better. Whether teaching, coaching or dealing with people, it all helps to become a better administrator.His biggest supporters have been his family. He and his wife, Tracy, have been together for 19 years. They have three children, Ally, freshman Emily and third-grader Landen.
When his family learned of his award, Ferber said, "They were pretty pleased. I just asked them to keep it to themselves for the moment. They're pretty proud of me."
As an administrator, Ferber spends a lot of time away from his family. However, he said his family enjoys spending lots of time together, and they even attend events with him.
"My wife is my biggest supporter. She's phenomenal," Ferber said.
"I'm humbled by the fact that I've been nominated for this award. I truly enjoy working with Warsaw Community Schools. They've been loyal to me. I believe they've been loyal to the students and our community," Ferber said. "The award is received by one person, but it's a combined effort. All of them should receive it."
